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C4C

January / February 2014 Black History Edition

EXCHANGE NEWSLETTER
The truth about Declaration of Independence! The Declaration of Independence, issued on July 4, 1776, stated "We hold these truths to be selfevident: That all men are created equal. Yet, the new nation, which declared its independence, continued the practice of slavery for people of African heritage until the Civil War in the 1860s. (Sound Familiar?)

[Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X]


Memorandum of Understanding. Did you know that the U.S. Office of Special Counsel and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) first entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in February 1988 to further the objectives of Congress under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, as amended, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, to eradicate prohibited discrimination in personnel decisions in the federal workforce. Item 1 under the MOU states.that the EEOC shall refer to OSC for potential OSC enforcement action cases in which the EEOC finds that an agency or an officer or employee thereof has discriminated against any employee or applicant for employment in violation of section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/mous/eeoc_osc.cfm Attorney Fees and Costs - Did you knowin Federal EEO law, there is a strong presumption that a complainant who prevails in whole or in part on a claim of discrimination is entitled to an award of attorney's fees and costs. More specifically, complainants who prevail on claims alleging discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, are presumptively entitled to an award of attorney's fees and costs. See of Management Directive 110 Guidance http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/directives/md110/chap ter11.html

January & February 2014 is our opportunity to celebrate our history... Black History! As we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month, let us also reflect and recognize other prominent persons and times in Black history.

Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have A Dream" On Aug. 28, 1963 in Washington, D.C., Dr. Martin Luther King delivers his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial.

The Dred Scott Decision Dred Scott (1795 September 17, 1858), was a slave in the United States who unsuccessfully sued for his freedom and that of his wife and their two daughters in the Dred Scott vs. Sandford case of 1857. Supreme Court decided 72 against Scott, finding that neither he nor any other person of African ancestry could claim citizenship in the United States, and therefore Scott could not bring suit in federal court under diversity of citizenship rules.

C4C - Addressing Racial Equality and Retaliation in the Federal Workplace


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January / February 2014 Black History Edition

A Word From. C4Cs Chair of Health and Spiritual Wellness


A New Year brings new promises. Each of us plans to change something with the start of a New Year. New beginnings are exciting. We plan to shift our priorities, establish goals, and change habits. This is good. Accomplishing any goal requires changing something we did before. This year Ive committed to change. I am the Chair of Health and Spiritual Wellness for the Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C). In 2014 I am rededicating myself to ensure members of C4C receive information and resources to help them through this journey called -- the pursuit of justice. Speaking truth to power is a daunting task, particularly when you do it within a Federal workplace that has proven to be unjust. C4C members chose to speak truth to power each time one of us decided to challenge a personnel action or an institutional policy / practice we felt was unfair. I commend each of you for your courage to take this path. However, let there be no mistake. The Federal Government is not an institution that welcomes people, especially employees that will question its actions (whether lawful or unlawful). In order for the institution to move in the direction those in power want, your unquestioning loyalty is imperative. As a civil servant, if you ever filed a complaint, a grievance, or unknowingly complied with a rule, regulation or law that management would have preferred that you ignore, then you by too many federal supervisors standards are not a team player. Now you find yourself in the rough seas of the administrative process or the storm of Federal court. The waves and winds of frustration and despair may, at times, overcome you. C4C is here to help you navigate those waves and provide informational and spiritual shelter. I know firsthand how those waves can knock you off your feet. And the winds can tear apart your financial, physical and mental health. It has taken me years to regain my footing. One of the ways I chose to cope is by learning how to better manage

all that I had gone through and be a resource for others. I obtained training through the Canadian Center on Stress and become a Certified Stress Management Consultant. C4C members will have access as part of your membership. Throughout the year I will share tips and suggestions on how you can monitor your health through this journey. With C4C -- You are not alone. Arthuretta Martin, M.S. CFCM, ACS

Happy Birthday to The Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C)


(5) Five Years Old Incorporated In Washington, DC January 22, 2009

C4C Welcomes New At-Large Member Mr. Chauncey Robinson. Welcome Chauncey! Chauncey is a Veteran, who courageously continues to expose abuse and corruption by U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs officials. Read more at http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/06/29/a-caseof-va-abuse-and-corruption/

Congressman Eleanor Holmes-Norton Requests Hearing


Congresswoman Norton (D-DC) requested a hearing on a federal employee bill that has bipartisan support. Her bill would overturn an unprecedented federal court decision that strips many federal employees of due process rights to independent review of an agency decision removing them from a job on national security grounds. http://tinyurl.com/p7kk6ka

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January / February 2014 Black History Edition

Demand That Congress Restore Voting Rights Act (VRA)


On June 25, 2013 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key section of the VRA. The law prohibits discrimination in voting based on race, color, or English language proficiency. This decision has weakened the VRA, which is the most important law protecting everyones right to vote. The Leadership Conference has circulated a message stating If we want every voter treated equally and fairly, its critical to modernize the VRA before the next election and cement steps to ensure voters rights can be protected in an effective way. Send a letter to your member of Congress. See Sample at http://tinyurl.com/kdeao6l

C4C Outreach to Truth-Teller Veteran Oliver Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell exposed Veteran Affairs (VA) purging of Veterans medical records. See website for details. http://veteranwhistleblower.blogspot.com/ Also, hear System Redesign audio recording http://youtu.be/XnvhdV2DD0g

The VA Conspiracy and Set Up

Letter to Department of Justice C4C wrote to request that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate multiple claims of institutional race discrimination within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and use its authority to hold VA public officials accountable for breaking civil rights laws. [Letter dated January 9, 2014]http://tinyurl.com/ngz7nxl Letter from Concerned Veteran Affairs Employee C4C received letter from U.S Navy Reserve Master at Arms, U.S Navy Veteran and Veteran Affairs Police Officer disclosing an unsafe incident at the Miami VA Medical Center. "Unleash No Fear" Campaign: The Petition to Hold Managers Accountable remains on the Change.org website. [309 supporters] http://tinyurl.com/lqx7rfo E-Book: The Denial of a Reality C4C's formal report, rebutting the Obstacles Facing African Americans in the Federal Workplace has had [2,047 views] http://www.scribd.com/doc/156357758/Obstacle-1The-Denial-of-A-Reality

Follow-up w Rep. Cummings. C4C Civil Rights Chair, Paulette Taylor, continues to follow-up with Congressman Elijah Cummings about Federal workforce accountability. C4C met with the Congressman last May 2013 regarding our concerns and solutions to address inequality in the federal government. On January 15. 2014, we received another reply stating: Mr. Cummings is still examining this issue. C4C Partnered with the African American VOICE Newspaper to expose public officials who have been found guilty of civil rights violations: A hearty C4C thanks to Dr. James Tucker, Publisher! http://africanamericanvoice.net/archives/2014/AAV oice_January_2014.pdf

Maurice Troop (Veterans Affairs) Carol Browner (Environmental Protection Agency) Katherine Thompson (Interior) Craig Littlejohn (Interior) Also visit C4Cs PINTEREST page -------https://www.pinterest.com/c4cfed/discriminatingofficials-in-the-us-government/

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January / February 2014 Black History Edition

The Last American Plantation


C4C continues to support The Last American Plantation documentary. The clip, now on VIMEO, is a teaser of the upcoming film by Arts, Trade & Lifestyle Media Group, Inc. It focuses on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its widely known discriminatory practices towards minority farmers and employees. C4C Thanks filmmaker Miles J. Edwards! http://vimeo.com/81299949

Evidence to Show Retaliatory Motive In Herman v. Department of Justice, 2013 MSPB 60 (Aug. 12, 2013), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) overturned an AJ's denial of the appellant's request for corrective action after the agency subjected him to adverse employment actions allegedly in retaliation for his whistleblower disclosures. See http://tinyurl.com/m8tqxnx Whistleblower Compensation Provision Not Retroactive On August 14, the MSPB issued its decision in King v. Dept. of the Air Force, 2013 MSPB 62. In dispute was whether the compensatory damages provision of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (WPEA) applies retroactively. See http://tinyurl.com/koeoss2 Jeremiah 1:17-19 17 "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land--against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. (NIV)

http://tinyurl.com/q3o7f7q

African Americans Suffer Major Job Crisis

ASKJAN -A Helpful Resource

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. www.askjan.org

C4C is a nonprofit group dedicated to freedom from discrimination, in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. C4C needs financial and volunteer support. You can send donations to: The Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C) P.O. Box 142, Washington, DC 20044 or via our recently added PAYPAL account at http://coalition4change.org/contactus.htm
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CASE HIGHLIGHTS

Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others? ~Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We will always stand . . ."In UNITY."

C4C Exchange Newsletter


Janel Smith, M.S. Publisher Tanya Ward Jordan, M.S. Editor

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